Fence



No. 619,684. Patented Feb. |4,-|899.' E. c. EMEBTUNG. w. L. eonrnzv.

FENCE.

(Application filed June 1, 1898.

-3 Shaats-Sheet L (No Model.)

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No. ("9,684. Patented Feb. l4, I899.

E. C. EMEBTON 8:. W. L. GODFREY.

FENCE.

(Application filed June 1, 1898.)

(No Model.)

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No. 6l9,684. Patented Feb. 1.4; 189%,

E. C. EMERTON & W. L. GODFREY. FENCE.

(Apphcation filed June 1, 1898.1 ("0 odel-J 3 Sheets-Sheet 3-.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWVIN C. EMERTON AND WILLIAM L. GODFREY, OF POST MILLS, VERMONT.

FENCE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 619,684, dated February14:, 1899.

A li tio fil d Tune 1, 1898. Serial No. 682,274. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, EDWIN C. EMERTON and WILLIAM L. GODFREY, citizensof the United States, residing at Post Mills, in the 5 county of Orangeand State of Vermont, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Fences; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear,and exact description of the invention, such as will enable I othersskilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to fences; and it consists of the constructionand arrangement thereof more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

The object of the invention is to provide a non-destructible andnon-breakable fireproof fence adapted for farm, railroad, residence, andother uses and embodying a simple and effective construction of adurable nature and wherein the parts are so arranged that they may beeasily and quickly set up or taken down, and also adjustable toaccommodate varying angles for outline of the structure or space to beinclosed thereby.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fenceembodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section of oneof the posts and the wire-clamps and other devices carried thereby. Fig.3 is a section on line 00 as, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a detail view of a postadapted to be employed in building the fence around door-yards or otherparts of dwellings or residences. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view ofone of the wireclamps. Fig. 6 is a detail view of oneof the sleeveshaving an arm thereon to engage the diagonal brace. Fig. 7 is a detailview of a different form of post embodying an enlarged base and asmaller upper portion. Fig. 8 is a detail View of a tool for driving theposts.

Referring to the drawings wherein similar numerals are employed toindicate corresponding parts in the several views, the numeral 1designates a fence-post constructed of metal and preferably tubular,though it will be understood that in applying the devices hereinafterset forth a solid post would equally well serve the purpose. The postterial already in the market, such as piping of different dimensions,and the distance when of a tubular nature can be made of ma-' apart ofthe several posts would be regulated in accordance with the use and theresistance required, and of course the height of the post above thesurface of the ground may be likewise varied. On each post a pluralityof clamps 2 are mounted, the number used depending upon the number ofrunners in each fence and the height of the post. Each clamp comprises amain body in the form of a sleeve 3, which is freely movable on the postand has at one side a thick extension 4 with a screwthreaded openingtherethrough, in which an eyebolt 5 is adj ustably mounted. The oppositepart of each clamp, at the upper termination thereof, is formed with anupwardly-extending clamping-lip 6, which is slightly concaved on theinner surface thereof adjacent the post, and the upper edge of the clampas an entirety is cut away at a downward bevel on opposite sides, as at7, toward the base of the inner ,portion of the said lip. Thisarrangement provides a seat for the wire runner, and above the concavedinner portion of the lip the latter is widened and provides a secureholding means when the clamp is immovably secured to the post.

The posts are set into the ground in any preferred manner. They may bedriven by suitable implements applied to the upper ends thereof, of sucha structure as to avoid crushing or jamming of the several posts, oneform of which is clearly shown by Fig. 8, or suitable anchors may beattached to the lower embedded ends of the several posts.

The posts and clamps as thus far described may be used with practicaladvantage without the addition of further attachments, and in setting upthe fence the posts are first arranged at proper predetermined intervalsor distances apart with the requisite number of clamps mounted thereonor ready to be applied thereto. Each runner, whether of barb or plainwire, is stretched and clamped at the several points where it fastens tothe post, and it will be understood that the runners may be eithersingle, two-strand, or of band form, either straight or twisted. Whenthe clamps 2 are secured to theposts to hold the wires in immovableposition, the clampinglips, against the inner portion of which the wirerunners have bearing, are drawn closely toward the adjacent parts of thepost by turning the eyebolts 5, the latter not only moving the clamps asstated, but also holding the same against accidental disengagement. Inoperating the said eyebolts a bar or analogous implement is insertedthrough the eyes thereof and the leverage thereby attained forinstituting a firm binding action of the inner ends of the bolts againstthe posts. The clamps 2 can all be similarly arranged, as shown by Fig.l, or at a juncture of crossing wires alternate clamps might bepositioned in planes at right angles to adjacent ones or in any otherdesired position. This would be exceptionally convenient where fencescross each other and one post would be made to serve a double purposewithout impairing its strength. A very ornamental appearance could beproduced by using broad fanciful runners and placing caps of sphericalform, as shown by Fig. 4, on the tops of the several posts andartistically painting the several members employed in the make-up of thefence generally. Of course caps of other contours may be equally wellused and the fence as thus ornamented would be especially applicable forsurrounding door-yards or lawns of dwellings or residences.

As an additional beneficial feature it is proposed to mount on thefence-posts 1 sleeves 8, also having in one side thereof eye-bolts 9,adapted to hold the said sleeves in adjustable position. Projecting fromthe opposite sides of the sleeves, either upwardly or downwardly, arearms 10, which are tapered toward their free ends and inserted in theopposite open ends of a tubular brace 11, which is arranged diagonallyand of a length corresponding to the distance between the posts. Thisform of brace is intended to be located at such points where increasedstrain will be brought upon the fence, such as at corners and adjacent agate-opening,or, if desired, for ornamental or other purposes the saidbraces may be continued throughout the whole line of fence and extend atopposite angles, as shown in Fig. 1. These braces are so situated thatthey do not interfere with the runners and can be very quickly appliedin position. The degree of obliquity of the said braces will of coursebe regulated by the position of the sleeves 8 on the posts and in someinstances may be used to maintain the regularity of position of theseveral posts and prevent the latter from being moved toward each otherand assume an irregular adjustment.

As shown in Fig. 7, the form of the post may be modified and constructedwith alarge lower portion 12 and upper reduced portion 13. This form ofpost is useful in many arrangements of fences, and the upper reducedportion and lower enlarged portion are connected by an intermediateunion 14 with an upper reduced screw-threaded sleeve 15, with aninclined closure 16 at the base of said sleeve extending to the enlargedportion of the latter. This form of post will be especially advantageousin constructing ornamental fences and can be readily set up. Thisenlarged part of the lower end of the post proper might also be embeddedin the ground and perform the function of an anchor, as well as providean increased base-support.

The form of fence set forth is composed exclusively of metal, and istherefore fireproof and particularly useful about railroads, as well asupon farms arid dwelling inclosures. Its metallic nature also renders itmore durable and comparatively inexpensive when the frail nature of theordinary wooden fence is considered. Many unique combinations can beworked out by changing the position of the clamps and the sleeves forholding the diagonal braces, and numerous advantages other than thosestated will appear from time to time to those using the fenceasconstrueted in accordance with the foregoing description. Forinclosures containing small stock the clamps will be arranged closelytogether between the bottoms of the posts; but the said clamps may beelevated at the bottom to allow small stock to pass from one inclosureto another and confine larger stock in a single inclosure.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is- Thecombination with adjacent fence-posts having sleeves adj ustably mountedthereon for holding wire strands, of other sleeves adjustably andremovably mounted on said posts, one being at the upper portion of onepost and the other at the lower part of the opposite post, and eachhaving an elongated arm tapered toward its outer end, one arm extendingup and the other down, and a tubular brace mounted between said postsand adapted to receive the tapered arms in its open ends, whereby thebrace can be mounted between the posts after they are set up.

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures in presence of twowitnesses.

EDWIN 0. EMERTON. WILLIAM L. GODFREY. Witnesses:

J. B. BEAN, N. B. BEAN.

